Being a digital nomad means having the freedom to roam the world and work from wherever your heart desires. Providing there’s a sturdy internet connection. But it’s not without its risks, especially when you’re working online and with the cloud. From data breaches to visa violations, here’s how to protect your work whilst living your best remote life as a digital nomad.
Secure Your Devices and Data While Travelling
As a digital nomad, your laptop likely contains everything that matters to you professionally (and personally, too), so it needs to be treated like precious cargo. Begin with the basics, investing in a solid VPN to encrypt your connection on public Wi-Fi, having cloud storage so all your data is backed up somewhere, and getting insurance for you and your laptop, too, in case the worst is to happen.
Public networks are hunting grounds for cybercriminals looking to intercept your data, so you must have two-factor authentication in case they do happen to grab some information. It means you have a second layer of defence that requires your physical device to verify your login, keeping your account out of their hands.
Make sure your firewall, antivirus and operating system are all updated regularly too. While the pop-ups themselves may be a mild irritation, the protection they provide by patching out vulnerabilities is a lifesaver.
Understand Your Legal Responsibilities Abroad
Although you may be out there exploring the world, you’re still bound by UK laws like GDPR, regardless of where you may be. On top of that, you need to understand the local regulations so you don’t fall foul of any restrictions.
Recent crackdowns in popular nomad destinations like Bali and Portugal have seen remote workers fined or deported for visa violations. Many countries distinguish between tourist activities and actual work, even if you’re employed by a UK company. Tourist visas typically don’t cover remote work, and immigration officials are becoming more aware of digital nomads trying to fly under the radar.
While a single day of checking emails won’t land you in hot water, research proper work visas or nomad-specific programmes. This is vital if you’re considering prolonged working abroad. Estonia’s digital nomad visa and Portugal’s D7 visa are legitimate options that won’t land you in trouble.
Protect Your Digital Identity and Accounts
Just as your laptop is your primary tool as a digital nomad, your online accounts are likely the most crucial part of your digital life. To properly protect them, they need strong passwords. These need to be made from a mix of upper and lowercase letters alongside symbols and numbers. Each account should have its own unique password, just so that if one is compromised, the others are still safe.
Your email account is the most important one. Therefore, it needs to benefit from a strong password. Together with two-factor authentication to keep it as safe from hackers as possible. Make sure you keep an eye out for suspicious emails and don’t click on anything you’re not confident about. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity and sign up for breach notifications.
While digital nomadism can be freeing, you need to take responsibility for your work and tech. This is to ensure it doesn’t ruin things for you. Take these precautions seriously, and you’ll be able to make the most of the lifestyle wherever it takes you. We hope this helps you protect your work as a digital nomad.
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